"Turning Resilience Into Action: The St. Pete Way" with Sarah Hipps and Matt Thorn
Season 2, Episode 1195, Oct 01, 04:02 PM
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Tune in to this conversation that began at a City of St. Petersburg press conference marking the anniversary of Hurricane Helene. The gathering recognized community members who transformed disaster into community-led action.
Karen Carmichael sits down with Sarah Hipps, founder of Show Up Relief Alliance, and Matt Thorn, founder of The Relief Market & Grill, to explore how grassroots relief efforts blossomed into full-fledged nonprofits after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated parts of St. Petersburg.
Together, they share stories of boots-on-the-ground action, neighbors helping neighbors, and the deep emotional and logistical challenges that come with disaster recovery. If you've ever wondered what true community leadership looks like—this episode is it.
🧑🔧 Matt Thorn
Founder, The Relief Market & Grill
A grassroots operation born in his flooded driveway, Matt’s organization served over 25,000 hot meals post-hurricane. Today, it’s a mobile nonprofit offering food, supplies, emotional support, and critical connection during times of crisis.
🌐 reliefmarketgrill.org
📱 Instagram/Facebook: @reliefmarketgrill
👩🏫 Sarah Hips
Founder, Show Up Relief Alliance
With a focus on year-round disaster preparedness and no-cost relief, Sarah’s team mobilizes rapid response crews to clean out homes, distribute supplies, and advocate for more resilient infrastructure across St. Pete.
🌐 showupreliefalliance.com
📱 Instagram/Facebook: @showupreliefalliance
🧵 Key Topics Covered:
Karen Carmichael sits down with Sarah Hipps, founder of Show Up Relief Alliance, and Matt Thorn, founder of The Relief Market & Grill, to explore how grassroots relief efforts blossomed into full-fledged nonprofits after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated parts of St. Petersburg.
Together, they share stories of boots-on-the-ground action, neighbors helping neighbors, and the deep emotional and logistical challenges that come with disaster recovery. If you've ever wondered what true community leadership looks like—this episode is it.
🧑🔧 Matt Thorn
Founder, The Relief Market & Grill
A grassroots operation born in his flooded driveway, Matt’s organization served over 25,000 hot meals post-hurricane. Today, it’s a mobile nonprofit offering food, supplies, emotional support, and critical connection during times of crisis.
🌐 reliefmarketgrill.org
📱 Instagram/Facebook: @reliefmarketgrill
👩🏫 Sarah Hips
Founder, Show Up Relief Alliance
With a focus on year-round disaster preparedness and no-cost relief, Sarah’s team mobilizes rapid response crews to clean out homes, distribute supplies, and advocate for more resilient infrastructure across St. Pete.
🌐 showupreliefalliance.com
📱 Instagram/Facebook: @showupreliefalliance
🧵 Key Topics Covered:
- What it was like to live through Hurricane Helene & Milton
- The emotional toll of disaster recovery
- How both organizations began and scaled from the ground up
- Stories of neighbors sleeping in garages and being helped back on their feet
- The importance of community-led, long-term disaster response
- Why disaster relief doesn’t end when the storm does
- How personal connection drives lasting impact
🤝 How to Get Involved:
Volunteer Opportunities:
Both organizations welcome volunteers of all kinds — whether you can gut a flooded house, cook a hot meal, coordinate logistics, or just show up with good energy and a helping hand.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Both organizations welcome volunteers of all kinds — whether you can gut a flooded house, cook a hot meal, coordinate logistics, or just show up with good energy and a helping hand.
-
Show Up Relief Alliance: Needs volunteers for storm preparedness, physical labor, event support, and South Side outreach.
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The Relief Market & Grill: Looking for guest chefs, event support (like the annual Halloween festival), supply organizers, and community connectors.
📩 DM either org or reach out via their websites. They will respond directly and personally.
📲 Stay Connected & Support
Show Up Relief Alliance:
🌐 showupreliefalliance.com
📱 IG/FB: @showupreliefalliance
The Relief Market & Grill:
🌐 reliefmarketgrill.org
📱 IG/FB: @reliefmarketgrill
🔖
#WeAreStPete #ShowUpForStPete #ReliefMarketGrill #GrassrootsRelief
#StPeteStrong #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #DisasterReliefDoneRight
#CommunityOverCrisis #ResilienceInAction #PreparedNotScared
📲 Stay Connected & Support
Show Up Relief Alliance:
🌐 showupreliefalliance.com
📱 IG/FB: @showupreliefalliance
The Relief Market & Grill:
🌐 reliefmarketgrill.org
📱 IG/FB: @reliefmarketgrill
🔖
#WeAreStPete #ShowUpForStPete #ReliefMarketGrill #GrassrootsRelief
#StPeteStrong #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #DisasterReliefDoneRight
#CommunityOverCrisis #ResilienceInAction #PreparedNotScared